An inquest into the death of Princess Diana's lover Dodi Fayed six years ago is finally to go ahead, it emerged today.

The date for the hearing, which could shed light on how Diana died alongside him in the crash in a Paris traffic tunnel, will be announced shortly. Diana, 36, and Dodi Fayed, 42, were killed along with chauffeur Henri Paul when their Mercedes crashed in an underpass on August 31, 1997.

Surrey Coroner Michael Burgess is to head the inquest, the first official public hearing into the tragedy on British soil.

A spokesman said the date is to be announced "very soon" and is expected to begin in weeks.

A spokesman for Dodi's father, Mohamed al Fayed, gave a cautious welcome to the news.

Harrods boss Mr al Fayed has campaigned for a public inquiry, claiming the crash was no accident and suggesting it was a murder conspiracy plotted by those who disapproved of Diana's relationship with his son.

To date, the only investigations have been in the French courts which concluded driver Henri Paul was on a cocktail of drink and prescription drugs and lost control because he was speeding.